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[thefortysecond]

I am staying far, far away from the controversy posts about Koki's PV costume (aka the unsettlingly accurate Nazi SS uniform).

But to the commenters in the Arama post saying "when will you all get over it already", three words

Comments

[clara_maria]

I agree! I am sad & angry about this shit

not about the PV - it's bad against good and the Uniform is on the bad side (b/w there's more Michael Jackson citation than thinking about politics... but that's a japanese problem, sadly too often) - this using Nazi-symbolism in general... that's something I have problems with

[thefortysecond]

I don't agree with the use of the costume, even if it *is* representing evil. I feel like it's making light of the history involved to use that specific uniform (and such an accurate version, too) to be in a pop music video. And you know that partly it's meant to elicit comments like "omg that uniform looks so sexy on him", because as much as I hate to say it, it does.

I mean, they could have just as easily made a uniform that hinted Nazi, or hinted all kinds of evil things, without making an exact copy. What could possibly motivate them to do that?

[clara_maria]

I agree~ that's what I meant with "the usage of Nazi-symbols in general" - I don't like it, it's dangerous in many ways and it's unnecessary
I not angry at the PV - but at the unthoughtful usage of Nazism, that's playing with something which isn't meant to be played with

[thefortysecond]

Yeah, thank you ♥

Nazi imagery has no place in pop culture. Neither do things like extremist Islamic terrorism (which suffers from the same issue- in so many cases people think Muslim = Terrorist when it's in fact a tiny minority) and any other extremist hate culture. Pop culture should not be addressing those issues, because pop stars thinking they're in any position to address those issues is simply demeaning them.

[oronoda]

I haven't seen the PV so I don't know but I think a lot of people don't understand the nuances of other cultures, especially when it is far away from said place. Like I know a lot of people don't understand the anger Koreans and Chinese hold for the Japanese.

Also, I remember a few years ago, Japan KFC was putting Obama's picture on KFC cartons. I remember people who weren't American didn't know the connotation between Fried Chicken and Blacks.

Not to say Japan shouldn't be called out on it, but I kind of think they don't really understand what a big issue it is. After all, Japan doesn't have much (if any) Jewish population so there wasn't anyone else around to call out the nuance.

However, I absolutely agree, people who say, "Get over it" are ignorant and uneducated.

[thefortysecond]

Hence why I focus my wrath on the comment wank rather than the source material. I'm trying to avoid commenting too much on the source material, although I can't completely.

I do wish Japan would do a better job of educating their citizens on world issues of race and general insensitivity. But I would have no idea how to go about such a project, so I find myself in no position to seriously criticize.

[oronoda]

I think it is very difficult because of the homogenous population in a relatively secluded location. It's a shame though. People should never forget what happened in Nazi Germany.

And also, people should limit themselves on Nazi comparisons in general. Like Dear Rest of Middle East: Israel is not the New Nazi Germany. Also, Dear Greece and Spain: Merkel is not Hitler, she just wants you to cut some of your massive budget.

I think in some ways, that cheapens history as well.

[mintceres]

Whenever I read articles like this (on arama) I'm like.
"Sit down, go educate yourself, get the facts straight."
People nowadays seem to have lost all sensitivity on that whole issue, just because "it happened so long ago"

And at the same time I wish that people would stop mixing popculture with history or politics. In 99,99% this just goes wrong.

[thefortysecond]

*hug* perfect. I have nothing to add.

[mintceres]

*hugs back*
btw, your icon is very accurate.

[jamasunda]

I have no words really. It's just... inappropriate :/ Way, wayyyy inappropriate.

*hugs* ;o; ♥

[nicefinalbeam]

In some ways, I kind of like when Nazis get used as bad guys. Like, for example, in the Indiana Jones movies. Not to trivialize things, but because it's historically accurate that they were after ancient artifacts to help them win the war and so on and so forth. They aren't painted in a positive light, and hey! It keeps it in people's minds.

However.

It's a delicate thing. You don't just slap a Nazi uniform on someone to represent evil and expect people to be okay with it. When Prince Harry tried it on Halloween, everyone was livid. And certainly a group like Kat-tun, who - let's face it - are meant to be pretty men young girls idolize, should avoid that kind of "look at me be evil and sexy in my Nazi uniform" imagery. It was a bad move.

That being said, I agree with you. What makes me truly angry is the "get over it" attitude. No one should ever get over it to the point where it's not treated with care anymore. :(

Edit: I had no idea until I went and read the post how specific a uniform it is, too. Just... no excuse for that

[thefortysecond]

See, one of the reasons I'm trying to stay away from the actual subject matter is that there's real discourse to be had there. It could open up dialogue about whether/when it is ever appropriate to use Nazi imagery in pop culture, and to what end, etc. I don't feel like I'm emotionally equipped to have that conversation, but it's a valid one to be had

[nicefinalbeam]

It's okay, bb~ I know the main thing you were trying to say is that "get over it" isn't the right attitude and I agreed with you completely. I remember seeing some girl talking about how the Jews weren't the only people who had suffered and I really did not see the point she was trying to make. Multiple times. With several comments. The fact that people were even agreeing or trying to elaborate on her point of view disgusted me. I kind of wanted to get into a girl fight for the first time in my life. Grab someone by the hair and tug them out to the street.

But, well, violence solves nothing. *LE SIGH*

You showed great restraint with this post. *hugs you*